NEWS & UPDATES
Our July update – there’s lots to talk about
26 Jul 2024
Welcome to the July edition of our newsletter.
In typical Cerebral Palsy Society style, there is PLENTY going on and lots to be excited about – so let’s get into it.
getMoving is go
This week we were absolutely delighted to kick off our getMoving programme!
The weekly adapted exercise classes are for 6-18 year olds and the year-long programme is generously funded by Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, making it free for our members.
At the first session, with Mike and the team from Functional Adaptive Movement ™ (FAM™), the keen and eager athletes took part in a quick assessment and then got started using the equipment.
We hope everyone had a great time!
You can check out all the photos in our gallery here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/gallery
Guess what! It’s not too late to get involved – we’ve still got two spaces available on the getMoving programme.
The programme is held at FAM™ in Mt Albert, Auckland on Wednesdays from 3.30pm-4.30pm.
For more information go to www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/member-services/getmoving, email Theo, our getMoving coordinator at theo@cpsociety.org.nz or phone 0800 503 603.
AusACPDM conference
Next week, Amy Hogan, our Researcher and Member Support Advisor, and I will attend the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM) 12th biennial conference in Cairns, Australia.
Amy will be speaking a number of times.
Amy and I will also represent the Society at the Australia New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy collaboration meetings.
The ANZ CP Strategy collaborative is currently working on the review and development of the 2025 ANZ CP Strategy objectives and priorities.
The trip will be a great opportunity for us to cement relationships, and make new ones, with our Australian counterparts.
Welcome to the team Carol
Please join us in welcoming our newest team member – Accounts Administrator Carol Avard.
Carol was with us for three months as a temporary Accounts and Administration Assistant and joined us permanently as Accounts Administrator on July 1.
Carol has a Business Studies degree and has worked in the UK in the events and finance industry. Her roles in New Zealand include working for the charity Canoe Racing New Zealand.
She is looking forward to using her prior experience to help members of the Cerebral Palsy Society, and enjoys engaging with families and youth.
Be Green & Be Seen 2024
Is Be Green & Be Seen on your calendar yet? October is not far away!
Did you know we’ve got plenty of Be Green & Be Seen resources on our website to help you promote your events. There’s logos, posters and social media tiles. Check it all out here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/resources-ideas
There’s also plenty of info on our website about why we hold Be Green & Be Seen and how the funds you raise are spent: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/how-it-works.
If you want to talk through any ideas, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you. cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or 0800 503 603.
And remember, if October doesn’t work for you – no worries! You can go green and #beACTIVE anytime that works for you!
The Cerebral Palsy Podcast
Have you checked out The Cerebral Palsy Podcast?
These heart-warming and entertaining podcasts have been put together by Kris Edwards (who lives with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi) and Nathan Hart (who is dad to a young Cerebral Palsy Society member).
“If I can help even just one person with Cerebral Palsy get through the day, let a parent know they are not on their own or just to say ‘thank you’ to a business that supports us, then The Cerebral Palsy Podcast is a success,” Kris says.
You can read more about Kris and Nathan’s journey, and their reasons for creating the podcast, here: www.tinyurl.com/45dujt74
The first handful of episodes are live! They are entertaining, informative and give real and honest accounts of living life with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
You can listen here:
Spotify – www.tinyurl.com/2pwwjawj
iHeart Radio – www.tinyurl.com/zp6h24m7
Apple Podcasts – www.tinyurl.com/2dd2xvww
Rova – www.tinyurl.com/4wu2c6y9
iPad winner
Thanks to everyone who completed our member survey earlier this year! We had a wonderful response and received some great feedback which we are working our way through.
As a little way of saying thank you, we invited survey respondents to enter a prize draw to win an iPad.
The winner was a very grateful Leanne Mako. We were delighted to send her the prize. Congratulations Leanne!
Join us for coffee!
Earlier this month we put the call out for a new Coffee Group host for our Addington group.
Tiresa was quick to respond and is really excited about volunteering as the group’s host. Thank you Tiresa – we’re delighted to have you join our Coffee Group team.
Tiresa’s first coffee group as host will be on August 13. The group meets at Natter Cafe and Microbakery, 47 Whiteleigh Ave, Addington on the first Tuesday of the month at 1.15pm.
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Have you been to one of our coffee groups yet?
The refreshments are on us! A companion, support worker and/or family member is welcome to accompany members to these groups. Up to $15 worth of refreshments per person is provided, compliments of the Cerebral Palsy Society.
Coffee groups are currently held in Auckland, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch.
We love welcoming new people to the groups, so please get in touch if you’re interested in attending.
For all the coffee group venues, dates and times check out our website.
If you want to attend a coffee group but the day/time/venue of an existing group doesn’t work for you, please contact the Society to discuss your needs. Phone 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are just around the corner!
They are being held from August 28 to September 8 and TVNZ is the official broadcaster.
A number of people who live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi are among those competing, including Danielle Aitchison.
“I identify as disabled, and it’s one part of who I am. It makes me who I am. But it can be all people see and I have so much more than that to offer,” she says.
You can read her story here: www.tinyurl.com/5n8vf37u
Good luck to everyone competing in the Paralympics. We’re looking forward to the excitement and the national pride that comes with watching Kiwis compete on the international stage.
You can keep up with all the action on the Paralympics New Zealand website: www.paralympics.org.nz
Thank you to the Trusts and Foundations that support us
The Cerebral Palsy Society relies on donations and grants to help us do the mahi we do for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
We want to take a moment to say how grateful we are to the Trusts, Foundations and friends that have supported us. Most recently:
– ANZ Foundation
– The Sutherland Self Help Trust
– Traffic Management & Control Ltd
Thank you for making a difference!
We’re very grateful to all the Trusts and Foundations that support the Society.
Research opportunities
There are plenty of Cerebral Palsy and disability-related research opportunities to get involved in. Head to our Research Opportunities page for more information.
– Healthy Ageing in Adults with Cerebral Palsy
– Navigating the SDR journey
– Abortion is a Human Right and Health Issue: Disabled People’s Experiences of Abortion Services in Aotearoa New Zealand
– Scientists seek children with Cerebral Palsy for space-like anti-gravity walk
Please support the Cerebral Palsy Society
The Cerebral Palsy Society needs you! Your support makes a world of difference to the lives of your fellow Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
You could:
– Donate today
– Sign up for a marathon and fundraise for the Society by setting up your own fundraising page on Givealittle.
There are plenty of ways you can support the CP Society – all the info you need is here.
Get in touch with us if you want to talk further about the difference you can make! We’d love to hear from you!
Phone 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz
That’s all the news we have to pass on for now. I look forward to updating you again next month. We’ll be another month closer to Be Green & Be Seen, and another month closer to spring!
Ngā mihi,
Clare and the CP Society team
Clare Williams
General Manager
